Lofoten Islands Norway Hikes - Steinetinden

steinetinden, stamsund lofoten islands norway

Photo: Winter view from Stamsundheia towards Steinetinden in distance. Mar 2009

Steinetinden (sometimes called Steinstind, Steinstinden) is a relatively small 509 meter high peak located between Stamsund and Steine on Vestvågøy in the Lofoten islands. By Lofoten standards its not anything spectacular. The main attraction of the peak is its close location to the Stamsund youth hostel, about a 5 minute walk across the street for the beginning of the trail. If you have access to a car, I would recommend setting you’re sights on more aesthetic peaks. If you just got off the Hurtigruten in Stamsund, are lucky enough to have some fair weather, then Steinetinden is the perfect introduction to what the Lofoten Islands have to offer. The views aren’t bad, just not as good as elsewhere on the islands.

Location:
Steinetinden is the highest peak along the circular mountain ridge towards the east of Stamsund. The most direct and straight forward way is walk up ‘Ringveien’ street which is located across from the Joker market. From Ringveien one has several options. One way is to turn on Halsbakken street and continue walking east towards the mountain. When you see a yellow house with what looks like a parking area for 2-3 cars in the street before it, head into the bushes at the back of the parking area. You should detect a faint and probably overgrown trail. This way will take you up and over Mannfallet first.

Otherwise, from Ringveien take the pathway into the forest at the back of the road that heads towards the lakes (this is also the cross-country ski route in winter). After several hundred meters on the trail, there should be a sign and a small trail coming from the left. Once on this trail, there are also two options when one comes to the fork. Towards the left takes one up the middle peak of Mannfallet (308 meters), towards the right the trail continues through the forest and up a steep, often muddy trail towards Steinetinden. Personally I think hiking up Mannfallet first is the more scenic route, and even slightly easier. I generally save the steeper, more direct route for the way down, to make a bit of a loop out of things.

Whether going over Mannfallet first or heading direct towards Steinetinden you will eventually find yourself in a flat grassy area between the two peaks. From here the trail steeply climbs about another 150 meters up to the summit of Steinetinden.

A word of caution:
while for the most part the trail is not anything technical, there are several locations where it passes quite close to high, steep cliffs and one is exposed to a possible fall of 400-500 meters. In wet conditions the trail can also be quite slippery/muddy. There are also several short rock steps that need to be negotiated, again with some exposure to a possible long fall. Go with a group of people if possible, and especially if you’re new to mountains. Be sure to have proper footwear and don’t be afraid to turn around if necessary.

steinetinden, stamsund lofoten islands norway